Walmart has introduced several advanced technology features that could potentially change the future of shopping.
The US retail giant has embraced the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the consumer experience. They have specifically employed generative AI and augmented reality (AR) to showcase these new features. Some of the new technology was demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2024) and is already accessible to iOS users.
One of the new services showcased was the “GenAI-powered search experience,” which was demonstrated through a football watch party, enabling customers to find relevant products featured or advertised during the game.
Another new service, “Walmart InHome Replenishment,” combines AI with Walmart’s existing replenishment capability to ensure that customers’ online shopping baskets are filled with the items they need, when they need them.
The third feature presented was an Augmented Reality function named “Shop with Friends,” designed to allow users to collaborate with friends online and share outfits they have created for a more social shopping experience.
At Walmart’s booth, you can experience everything from making logistics more efficient to improving customer experience, using technologies such as #AR and #AI 🤖 📦 🕶️ 🛒
🎥 HT @ntv_rd#CES2024@Nicochan33 @EvanKirstel @JimHarris @jblefevre60 @pascal_bornet @FrRonconi… pic.twitter.com/LOnXUyNaru
— Dev Khanna #CES2024 (@CurieuxExplorer) January 11, 2024
Walmart AI will ‘serve customers better than ever’
Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart Inc., expressed confidence in the potential of new technology to further the company’s mission to serve its people.
“We build technology to serve people and not the other way around,” he stated.
McMillon continued, “Walmart’s purpose is to help people live better, and today, more than ever, advances in technology make it feel like anything is possible. People, our customers, and associates, come first and we’ll put technology to work to serve them better than ever.”
Walmart also announced an extension of its drone delivery service to include up to 1.8 million additional homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
